Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

As February rolled in, good news kept coming for Prince Huai.

The biggest piece of good news was the initial assimilation of Fengzhou, gaining a wealth of resources, iron mines, population, and territory.

Most importantly, by bringing Fengzhou into the fold, Huai and Feng states could look after each other.

With the strong support of noble families, the prosperous region of Jiangnan was continuously providing funds and grain to Prince Huai. Now, Huai and Feng states offered him an enormous territory and population, dramatically increasing their strategic value, presenting to the world an image capable of supporting the Great Song.

With powerful strength and the support of noble families, Prince Huai's confidence swelled, yearning to wield more power and territory.

Standing foremost before Prince Huai was Chen Mo.

After Prince Huai adopted Diwu Fusheng's advice in the past, Diwu Fusheng remained highly favored, becoming a close confidant of Prince Huai, leading to Liu Ji, another adviser with differing views, being neglected.

Just like Diwu Fusheng, Liu Ji also wanted to showcase his talents, fulfill his ambitions, and gain fame and fortune along the way.

Therefore, during this period of neglect, Liu Ji continually pondered how to win Prince Huai's favor, and he did manage to come up with some ideas.

After the conquest of Fengzhou, as Prince Huai's ambition grew, Liu Ji noticed this, casually mentioning the dire straits in the North where the people were suffering greatly, saying that whoever could rescue the people from their plight would surely become a dominant power.

Seeing that Prince Huai took note, Liu Ji flattered him, saying Prince Huai was the one who could save the people, and claimed that capturing Fengzhou was divine guidance, with Prince Huai being a splendid ruler.

He subtly diminished Diwu Fusheng's accomplishments while elevating Prince Huai.

Prince Huai was pleased upon hearing this.

Liu Ji, seeing the situation, boldly spoke without fear of contradiction, stating that today's Emperor did not possess the talents of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, nor of the previous Emperor, and that the Prince's power surpassed that of the Grand Ancestor Emperor when he first rose, with unparalleled prestige in the world. He claimed that merely raising troops would be enough to seize the world.

He suggested Prince Huai was the one fit to be the Emperor of Great Song today.

Prince Huai sternly reprimanded Liu Ji, stating that it was the Xu Thief who had deluded the Emperor, not due to any incapability of the Emperor, warning Liu Ji not to bring up this matter again, as he would overlook past merits.

However, Liu Ji was aware of Prince Huai's ambition. Since Prince Huai had raised troops to support the King, Liu Ji had guessed Prince Huai's subtle intentions, knowing that Prince Huai was still the legitimate...

Therefore, Liu Ji insisted against the threats, stating that it was because of the Xu Thief that the Emperor was under duress, using the Emperor to command dukes, thereby paralyzing the country.

He also mentioned that the previous failure of the Loyalist Army was due to this reason.

He was absolving Prince Huai of the responsibility for the Loyalist Army's failure.

Everyone loves to hear good things, so while Prince Huai verbally chastised Liu Ji, he internally acknowledged Liu Ji's words.

The failure of the Loyalist Army was not his fault.

Noting that Prince Huai was already hooked, Liu Ji continued to praise, claiming that the Prince received the Emperor's Blood Letter in early spring, reaping rewards by late winter, with military movements like divine strides, plans beyond frameworks, Divine Soldiers sweeping like lightning, victories akin to breaking dry twigs. Now he was even the mentor of the Celestial Master Yi, moving southward to repay benevolence, his power shaking the dynasty, his fame spreading overseas, beloved by the populace, achieving deeds comparable to the Grand Ancestor Emperor.

Prince Huai, in a phase of swelling confidence, was greatly swayed by Liu Ji's words, who also claimed that to reclaim the Northern Land, one must first seize Qingzhou, with Chen Mo being the biggest hurdle, thus marked for conquest.

Thus, Prince Huai gathered his advisers to discuss this matter.

Instead of stating it directly, Prince Huai let his advisers first discuss the character of Chen Mo.

Liu Ji, unreconciled with Diwu Fusheng, naturally didn't hold much esteem for Chen Mo, describing him in eight words as "greedy for money, lustful and arrogant."

Seizing Yu and Lin states, he was greedy for wealth.

Took the legitimate daughter of the Liang family as a concubine, a daughter even previously promised in marriage, disregarding the negative impact, marking him as lustful.

Dare to offend King Chong, to coerce Prince Huai, brazenly demanding from him, very arrogant.

Diwu Fusheng also used eight words to describe Chen Mo, but in stark contrast to Liu Ji, saying Chen Mo had "great ambition, biding his time."

Most of those present hailed from prominent noble families, priding themselves on unmatched talent, looking down upon Chen Mo due to his humble origins, especially as his current status, position, and power exceeded theirs. Hence, the evaluation of Chen Mo was generally unfavorable.

In their eyes, Chen Mo was always a thief, akin to the Xu Thief, rarely receiving an objective assessment like from Diwu Fusheng.

Seeing that most advisers expressed disdain for Chen Mo, Prince Huai revealed his intentions.

"I intend to conquer Chen Mo, what are your opinions?" Prince Huai also harbored ambition, having been flattered by Liu Ji, his desire to destroy Chen Mo and reclaim the Northern Land was intensely fervent.

Diwu Fusheng immediately stood up to oppose, stating: "Prince, we've just captured Fengzhou, it needs to be properly managed. Moreover, the troops are weary and horses tired, necessitating rest and recuperation, making it unwise to start another war.

Moreover, we had signed a non-aggression pact with Chen Mo less than two years ago. To attack Chen Mo now would be akin to unilaterally tearing up the treaty without cause, contrary to morality, diminishing the Prince's stature in the eyes of the world."

"No, my army just defeated the Celestial Master Army not long ago, morale is high, we should strike while the iron is hot and take Qingzhou." Liu Ji hurriedly said: "As for justification, Chen Mo

is a rebel and traitor, a scourge to be eliminated by all."

"Liu Ji..." Diwu Fusheng glared fiercely at Liu Ji, then turned to Prince Huai, clasping his hands:

"Think thrice, my Prince. Chen Mo spans three states, with an army of a hundred thousand, having rested and recuperated for over a year, vigorously developing the three states, and enjoys popular support. Whereas our army has just captured Fengzhou and lacks understanding of Qingzhou's military readiness. A reckless attack would only bring self-disgrace. I hope the Prince does not heed certain vile influences."

"Diwu Fusheng, are you calling someone vile?" Liu Ji shouted in anger.

"Whoever is eager, I refer to them."

"You..."

"Enough." Prince Huai lightly reprimanded, interrupting the two who wanted to continue arguing, saying somewhat puffed up: "Fusheng, how can I allow someone to snore beside my bed? The day we signed the non-aggression pact with Chen Mo, it was due to the presence of the Celestial Master Thieves, an unavoidable circumstance. Now that the leader of the Celestial Master Thieves is executed, and the bandits subdued, the great calamity has been removed. For the peace and tranquility of the people of Fengzhou and Huai state, this traitor must be eradicated.

I have decided to punish Chen Mo; Fusheng, you only need to express your views on this warfare."

Diwu Fusheng shook his head, still adhering to his conviction: "Striking against Chen Mo now is unwise, I implore the Prince not to heed the whisperings of others."

Prince Huai frowned, having to turn his gaze to Liu Ji.

Liu Ji clasped his hands, stating: "Prince, King Chong's troops are currently campaigning in Longyou. If possible, request King Chong to dispatch a force to threaten Yu state, as a diversion, to spread Chen Mo's forces, thus preparing us to capture Qingzhou."

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